Harness-saddle.



No. 685,808. Patented Nov. 5, I9Dl. D. D. WIEAND.

HARNESS SADDLE.

Application filed May 1 5, 1901.\

(No Model.)

Wihjsscs UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID D. WIEAND, OF ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

HARNESS-SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 685,808, dated November 5, 1901.

Application filed May 15, 1901.

T0 aZZ whom it 772/661 concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID D. WIEAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allentown, in the county of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Harness-Saddle, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to harness-saddles, and particularly to tree-plates for use with moderately heavy saddles which are used with harness employed in connection with express and delivery wagons; and the object in view is to provide a simple and effective resilient and flexible plate formed in one piece and capable of being bent into shape to suit the form of the backs of different animals and retaining its contour after adjustment, all securing and other devices being dispensed with as far as possible to avoid interference with the ready adjustment of the plate Without in the least impairing the strength of the device.

The invention consists'in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed. y

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a tree-plate embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section thereof, taken through the center.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several Views.

The numeral 1 designates the improved tree-plate, which is formed from a single piece of bendable resilient material of a suitable nature and comprises an upper central wide arch-2 to form a seat and from which opposite members 3 of less width depend at an angle of inclination, the angle of the said members being variable by bending the same to suit the contour or shape of the portions of the backs of different animals over which the saddle as an entirety is placed. Between the center of the arch or seat 2 and the terminals of the members 3 the tree-plate is unbroken by apertures or projections except adjacent the terminals of the said members, where openings 4 are provided, one in each member, for the reception of the shanks or securing portions of terret rings or analogous guides.

Serial No. 60,890. (No model.)

The arch or seat 2 is strengthened by the application to the under side thereof of a reinforce-plate 5, which is held in connection with the plate itself by a single centrally-disposed rivet or fastening 6, the remaining portion of the reinforce, particularly at the sides, being free, so that the arch and the members 3 can be adjusted to any degree desired by bending without meeting with a resistance which would be present'if the reinforce is firmly fastened at all points, andthereby permit the plate to remain in its adjusted shape. The reinforce is curved to correspond to the shape of the arch or seat and the portions of the members 3 which it. extends over, and through the center of the arch or seat and the reinforce a rear opening 7 is formed to receive a fastening device to hold the plate 1 in the desired position in relation to the remaining portions or parts of the saddle, and also formed with a front slot 8 to receive the shank or securing device of a check-hook, the said slot being at the front, and both the slot 8 and opening 7 are in longitudinal alinement. From the central portion of the rear end of the arch or seat atongue 9 extends and is made long enough to be bent under to inclose an attaching-loop 10 and also bear against the under side of the adjacent portion of the reinforce at the center to assist insupporting the latter without interfering with the same at the side edges, the bent tongue being held in shape by a rivet 11 passed through the parts thereof in rear of the plate proper.

It will be understood that the improved tree-plate is to be used with any suitable form of padding, covering, and general fittings or hardware, and the members 3 being flat and light can be easily applied to remain in their desired adjustment. One material advanslant or angle of the opposite portions of the saddle can be readily adjusted after the plate is lodged in position and inclosed by the parts of the said saddle without destroying the desirable resiliency of the plate to accommodate the shape of the back of the animal to which the saddle is applied, and, as before stated, the reinforce under the arch or seat does not interfere in the least with the adjustment of the plate, but does prevent the arch or seat from being crushed or crowded down. The imtage of the improved tree-plate is that the dle it will be understood that at times it may.

be used in connection with other saddles where found applicable.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is A tree-plate for a harness-saddle formed from asingle piece of bendable resilient sheet metal and provided with an upper central arch and opposite depending flat members, having an angle of inclination, the said arch e'saso being transversely widened and the flat meni bers reduced toward their lower ends, and a reinforce fitted close against the under side of the arch portion of the plate and secured to the latter by a fastening in the center, the forward end of said plate being provided with l a rearwardly -bent underlapping portion, a 1 v fastening device for said underlapping portion, the said reinforce extending the full 30 f; transverse width of the arch and the side s edges left free and loose to avoid interfering v with the said members and the arch when the V latter are adjust-ed'by bending. V i i In testimony thatI claim the foregoing as 35 my own I have hereto affixed my signature in V the presence of two witnesses.

DAVID B. WIEAND.

Witnesses:

MILTON FooHs, PRESTON BACHMAN. 

